Happy Friday!

We decided to hit the pool this morning with our friends Cade & Carson.  It was a cool morning only in the 70's but the boys didn't mind at all :-)  We are enjoying these last days of summer!

Surfs up!!!!

We got the opportunity to go out on a really nice surfing boat last night and I'm afraid Jason is hooked! And I say afraid because I know Jason wants one of these boats someday.....and lets just say they are not cheap :-)

 

Before getting into the water with the surfboard for the 1st time

 

Got up the 1st try and trying to figure out when to drop the rope!

 

He's a natural!

 

And loving it.....this is how we surf in Idaho!!!

 

Love this pic below....surf's up everyone!

 

And of course he had to get some wakeboarding in.....this boat had a huge wake so he

caught some major air!

 

Love this one of my mom with Jake.....but you have to love Steve's face in the background as he is about to try surfing for the 1st time :-)

 

Steve's before shot.....he was excited!

 

And he got it...love the sunset behind him!

 

All his boys watching daddy!

25 weeks

I am 25 weeks along.....almost to the 3rd trimester.  This pregnancy seems to be flying by.  I am feeling raher huge these days and it doesn't help when several co-workers said to me over the weekend "are you about to pop?"....uh no people, I have 3 months left!!!! 

Baby girl has been pretty active, it's truly amazing to feel a human being growing inside of you.  We love her already and can't wait to meet her....well we can wait until the end of November :-)

Silly silly boys

I love this first one above...it really shows their personalities :-)

Owen and Emery being WAY silly before bed last night

Love these crazy boys....they are such a handful but wouldn't change a thing!

Big changes for Owen

Today we hit Target and purchased some "big boy" underwear for Mr. Owen.  He is going to be 3 on September 23rd so potty training here we come......I have to admit that I am dreading this milestone.  It is not an easy task to potty train but I am hoping that he catches on.  He is supposed to start preschool on September 4th so I am feeling the pressure.  His teacher says it's ok to send him in a pull up, but I would love it if he would just go in the potty :-)  And if you know Owen, you know he drinks a TON, I mean a TON of liquids.....so this is going to be tough!

He picked out Lightning McQueen undies.....they look a little big, but this was taken before I washed them :-)
And of course Emery wanted new ones too....he went with super heros, so batman won (he even got a batman backpack today for his new preschool).

Owen said the prayer tonight at bedtime and it went like this:

"Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, for mommy, daddy, Jake, brother (aka Emery), our bunk beds, our house, in Jesus name, Amen"........there is really nothing sweeter than hearing your 2 1/2 year old say such a meaningful prayer.

Happy 16 months Jake!

Jake is 16 months old today....kind of hard to believe.  He is ALL over the place....think he might run soon :-)  He has discovered his voice and loves to screech at the top of his lungs, especially when we are driving down the road. 

Playing peek-a-boo with the shower curtain

Check out those awesome curls...just can't cut his hair for this reason!

And trying to climb out!

We love you Jake.....you are such a ham!!!!

Just some thoughts

Just had to write down some thoughts so when I look back at this time in our lives, I can remember how I was feeling. 
Having 3 boys under the age of 5 is hard, I mean really hard.  I am not sure how I get through some days, they are chaotic, really crazy and so challenging.  I find myself losing my patience more times than I would like to admit and making mistakes every day.  I wonder sometimes if I am doing anything right.  Emery & Owen are very strong willed...I mean as strong willed as they come (gee I wonder where they get that from :-) but it makes for challenging behaviors and lots of opportunities for discipline.  There are a lot of times when all 3 boys need something at the same time and I want to pull my hair out.  Emery & Owen fight like crazy (they are only 16 months apart) and that's the hardest thing for me.  It is emotionally and physically exhausting, especially right now while pregnant. 

We have good days and not so good ones, but I am trying to focus on the positive moments.  Parenting is the most difficult job in the world.  But when Emery says to me out of the blue, "mommy, I love you" and Owen just comes over to me and gives me a hug and tells me he loves me or when Jake looks at me and smiles and puts his head on my shoulder and cuddles, then all of the other stuff goes out the window.  Tonight, while eating dinner, Emery says "mommy, I feel Jesus in my heart, it feels so good, is that the Spirit?".  Or the times I see Owen and Emery playing so well together and they will just hug each other and make each other laugh like crazy (or wrestle each other on the ground) and tell each other that they love one another, those are the moments to cherish forever.  It's those moments when I feel like maybe we are doing some things right :-)

I have to remember that things won't be like this forever and in fact this time is flying by.  I know some day I will look back and miss these days, as hard as they are, because they are truly special.  I always think "This too shall pass" and that is bitter sweet for me.  I love being their mommy and know I have been given such a huge responsibility by my father in heaven to care and nurture these children.  I just ask for forgiveness on the days I don't do so well and try to do better the next day.  I have lots of anxiety about bringing #4 into the mix, but feel blessed and excited to have a baby girl coming :-)

Fun date

Jason and I went to the Counting Crows last night.....it was at the Botanical Gardens which is an outdoor venue.  It was HOT when we first got there (100 degrees), we weren't sure we were going to make it and then a few clouds rolled in and a nice breeze came and all was good :-)  They put on a great show.....we sat on the lawn with our ice cold waters and food....they even had Ben & Jerry's there, so we were happy :-)  It brought back lots of memories for us...since we listened to them in high school!!
I didn't bring my camera in but Jason got a couple pics on his phone!

Trying to capture the beautiful sunset behind us, but just couldn't get it.....thanks J for a fun night, I love you!

Owen & Emery get bunk beds :-)

I have been searching Craigslist for 4 months for bunk beds for Owen and Emery.....missed out on tons of deals, literally people beating me by minutes....it was super frustrating and I had given up actually.  I scored with these beds and the boys are thrilled.  We still need to buy mattresses so for now they are using their little ones, but they don't care :-)

Owen slept in the bottom bunk for the first time Sunday evening....his first time out of his crib since he was born and he did awesome!

Jake seems to like them too :-) but I hope he doesn't get any ideas and try to go up the ladder!

Boys will be boys

Today is August 1st, can't believe it's August already....this summer is flying by :-(  The boys decided to play in the dirt outside the garage this morning.....Carlin had dug a big hole perfect for the boys to play in!

Notice the mini van in the garage :-)  Yep, we're cool....we made the leap to an AWD

Toyota Sienna, it's pretty awesome!